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Academic Departments

U.S. Naval War College’s academic departments support our curriculum by providing core and elective coursework, and through research, gaming, and educational programming opportunities. Our three primary teaching departments, Strategy & Policy, Joint Military Operations, and National Security Affairs, each offer one intermediate-level and one senior-level course. Additionally, for one trimester of their studies, students take the Leadership in the Profession of Arms course.

U.S. Naval War College Academic Departments

International Flags Hanging

International Programs Department

The International Programs department teaches foreign officers from around the world strategy, warfare, decision making and operational art. Equally important, they learn how the United States works as a country through the field studies program.

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The Joint Military Operations (JMO) department at U.S. Naval War College (NWC), Newport, Rhode Island, hosts its Capstone educational event which is designed to expose students in the courses to maritime warfare problems and how to creatively approach them.
The Joint Military Operations (JMO) department at U.S. Naval War College (NWC), Newport, Rhode Island, hosts its Capstone educational event which is designed to expose students in the courses to maritime warfare problems and how to creatively approach them. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released)

Joint Military Operations Department

The Joint Military Operations department addresses enduring principles that govern military operations, including collaborating with other services, U.S. agencies, and multinational partners. Its courses focus on the theater-strategic and operational levels of war.

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Army Lt. Col. Patrick Pflaum, a U.S. Naval War College student in the National Security Affairs department participates in the National Security Decision Making Final Exercise in the college’s Spruance auditorium in Newport, Rhode Island.
Army Lt. Col. Patrick Pflaum, a U.S. Naval War College student in the National Security Affairs department participates in the National Security Decision Making Final Exercise in the college’s Spruance auditorium in Newport, Rhode Island. The final exercise for the course is a competition among student seminar teams with the winning group presented the James V. Forrestal Award for Excellence in Strategy Development and Force Planning. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released)

National Security Affairs Department

The National Security Affairs department is one of the nation’s oldest and largest graduate departments focused on national and international security studies. Our rigorous courses, designed for mid-career professionals, focus on theater decision-making and global and regional strategy.

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The Stockton Center for International Law holds its sixth annual Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference.
May 14-17, 2024 – 6th Annual Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference
NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Stockton Center for International Law (SCIL) holds its sixth annual Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference, a seminar series aimed at developing and shaping maritime laws and governance, onboard Naval Station Newport, May 14-17. The event brought together more than 150 judge advocates, scholars, and practitioners from around the world to analyze how international law and the future of Naval warfare is potentially being shaped by ongoing geopolitical conflicts. The Stockton Center for International Law (SCIL) operates under the auspices of the Center for Naval Warfare Studies at the Naval War College (NWC), a globally recognized research institute producing original research and analysis of both international law and military operations. Its work is targeted to military leaders, national decision makers, and international law practitioners and scholars. Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage. (U.S. Navy photo by Kristopher Burris/Released)

Stockton Center for International Law

The Stockton Center for International Law is an internationally recognized research institute for the study of international law and military operations that produces original analysis for national decision-makers, senior military leaders, scholars, and legal practitioners throughout the world in order to better grasp the role of international law in naval, Joint and Combined operations.

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Students at S&P Lecture
U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students listen to a keynote address on sea power and national strategy from Randy Forbes, senior distinguished fellow of U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Foundation and former representative, during an EMC Chair Symposium on Maritime Security, “Sea Control and Foreign Policy,” held at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released)

Strategy & Policy Department

Our Strategy & Policy (S&P) department teaches students how to make sound judgments in joint, inter-agency, and multinational environments. S&P’s courses explore case studies and offer a blend of liberal arts and professional disciplines, from political science to multicultural studies.

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Game board with pieces

Wargaming Department

The Wargaming department conducts high-quality research, gaming, and analysis. Here, future leaders can hone their strategic, risk-assessment, and decision-making skills. Wargaming efforts also help inform key Navy decisions.

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